Guest post by Splashtop OS, previously only available via OEM machines, today released its operating system to the general public. “Splashtop Inc, the worldwide leader in instant-access computing, today announced the immediate availability of Splashtop OS , a lightweight, web-centric operating system optimized for notebooks and netbooks. First introduced as a beta last November, Splashtop OS is a browser-based ‘companion OS’ that co-exists with the Windows operating system.”
$title =~ s/Splastop/Splashtop/;
Corrected. We got signal.
I can only find an EXE install file download…
I had an older version of this that came with my motherboard, but it couldn’t get the resolution right.
These days, I spend more of my boot time waiting for the BIOS than loading arch + xfce anyway
I had an HP mini netbook that came with HP’s branded version called QuickWeb. It was enabled/disabled via a Windows executable and as far as I could tell that was the only way to install it.
It was pretty nice all things considered, and I absolutely loved the skin/theme.
Okay so the Splashtop compatibility list is pretty specific: HP laptops and netbooks, and just a few models. Since I’m using an HP slimline desktop, I figured it might at least boot for me. Nope, didn’t happen. It installed just fine, and when I rebooted and got past the Grub boot menu — I dual boot Linux, of course — into the Windows 7 loader, I was given a choice (via Windows’ boot menu) of 7 or Splashtop. When Splashtop is chosen, it boots to a graphical something; my monitor changes modes, and I see a mouse cursor for a split second. Then it reboots the computer. Oh well.
I had high hopes too, as all of my hardware apart from the onboard video (Nforce 6 series) is fully supported by open drivers, including the HP-branded Ralink wifi card. The irony of a Linux distro unable to boot on highly OSS-friendly hardware is not lost on me. The fact that it is only installable via a closed Windows executable really drives it home.
I wonder if it will like VirtualBox or VirtualPC…
Web site reads: “UPDATE: A new Splashtop OS has just been released to allow installation on a much broader range of devices and platforms. If your device is not one of the currently supported platforms listed above, you can still install and try Splashtop OS ^aEUR“ you will be given a pre-boot menu (…)”
http://www.splashtop.com/os#platforms
Edited 2011-02-28 09:57 UTC
Pardon me if this comes across as rude, but what exactly is your point? I am fully aware that they encourage people to try out new platforms, which I did. My reason for mentioning the compatibility list was to provide a reference for my surprise at it not working on the HP desktop unit I tested it on, given that desktop’s similar specs and hardware components to some of the supported laptops, not to mention branding.
1. Many problems so far.
2. Very specific hardware.
3. Requires Windows to install (oh my…)
4. “Benefits: The perfect Windows Companion”
Enough said.
Edited 2011-02-27 13:48 UTC
Is there a bootable disk image available?